Economic Survey Hails Agriculture, Rural Surge

• Agriculture sector posts 4.4% average annual growth over five years
• Horticulture output touches record 367.72 million tonnes
• Foodgrain production hits all-time high of 357.73 million tonnes
• Rural roads, housing and digital connectivity see historic expansion

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Feb: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said the Economic Survey clearly documents the growing strength of Indian agriculture and rural India, underlining unprecedented progress achieved during the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Reacting to the Survey, Chouhan said agriculture and allied sectors have recorded sustained and stable growth, registering an average annual growth rate of 4.4 per cent at constant prices over the past five years—higher than the global average. He added that during the decade from FY 2016 to FY 2025, agriculture posted a decadal growth rate of 4.45 per cent, the highest among all previous decades.

The Union Minister noted that even in the second quarter of FY 2025–26, the sector recorded a growth rate of 3.5 per cent, reflecting its resilience despite global uncertainties.

Highlighting production gains, Chouhan said India’s foodgrain output touched a record 357.73 million tonnes in FY 2024–25, driven by higher production of rice, wheat, maize and coarse cereals, including millets promoted as ‘Shree Anna’. He said India is now not only self-reliant in foodgrains but also a leading global producer of several crops.

Calling horticulture the brightest spot in Indian agriculture, Chouhan said the sector now accounts for nearly 33 per cent of agricultural gross value added. Horticulture production increased from 280.70 million tonnes in 2013–14 to 367.72 million tonnes in 2024–25. During this period, fruit production stood at 114.51 million tonnes, vegetables at 219.67 million tonnes and other horticultural crops at 33.54 million tonnes.

He added that India has emerged as the world’s largest producer of onions, contributing nearly 25 per cent to global output, and is the second-largest producer of vegetables, fruits and potatoes, with a global share of around 12–13 per cent in each category.

On rural development, Chouhan said the Economic Survey highlights a historic expansion of infrastructure in rural India. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, over 99.6 per cent of eligible habitations have been connected with all-weather roads. Under PMGSY-IV, road projects covering more than 10,000 kilometres have been approved to connect over 3,270 unconnected habitations across several states.

He further said that under the ‘Housing for All’ mission, 3.70 crore pucca houses have been constructed in rural areas over the last 11 years, while a target of 4.14 crore houses has been set under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin.

Referring to digital empowerment, Chouhan said drone surveys under the SVAMITVA scheme have been completed in 3.28 lakh villages, with 2.76 crore property cards issued. Under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, 99.8 per cent of rural land records have been digitised.

He also highlighted that under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, over 10 crore rural women are now linked to more than 90 lakh self-help groups, with the number of ‘Lakhpati Didis’ crossing 2.5 crore.

The Union Minister said the Economic Survey reflects how consistent policy focus, institutional reforms and targeted investments have strengthened agriculture and transformed rural India, reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, farmer welfare and sustainable rural development.